Abstract: A compound for a rare-earth bonded magnet includes a rare-earth alloy powder and a binder. The rare-earth alloy powder includes at least about 2 mass % of Ti-containing nanocomposite magnet powder particles with a composition represented by (Fe1-mTm)100-x-y-zQxRyMz, where T is Co and/or Ni; Q is B with or without C; R is at least one rare-earth element substantially excluding La and Ce; M is at least one metal element selected from Ti, Zr and Hf and always includes Ti; and 10<x≦20 at %; 6≦y<10 at %; 0.1≦z≦12 at %; and 0≦m≦0.5. The particles include at least two ferromagnetic crystalline phases, in which hard magnetic phases have an average crystal grain size of about 10 nm to about 200 nm, soft magnetic phases have an average crystal grain size of about 1 nm to about 100 nm; and the average crystal grain size of the soft magnetic phases is smaller than that of the hard magnetic phases.

Abstract: A method of making a magnetic alloy material includes the steps of: preparing a melt of an alloy material having a predetermined composition; rapidly cooling and solidifying the melt to obtain a rapidly solidified alloy represented by: Fe100-a-b-cREaAbTMc where RE is at least one rare-earth element selected from La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm and including at least about 90 at % of La; A is at least one element selected from Al, Si, Ga, Ge and Sn; TM is at least one transition metal element selected from Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn; and 5 at %≦a≦10 at %, 4.7 at %≦b≦18 at % and 0 at %≦c≦9 at %; and producing a compound phase having an NaZn13-type crystal structure in at least about 70 vol % of the rapidly solidified alloy.

Abstract: A surface treating process according to the present invention, a vapor deposited film is formed from an easily oxidizable vapor-depositing material on the surface of a work by evaporating the vapor-depositing material in a state in which the vapor deposition controlling gas has been supplied to at least zones near a melting/evaporating source and the work within a treating chamber. Thus, the vapor deposited film can be formed stably on the surface of a desired work without requirement of a long time for providing a high degree of vacuum and without use of a special apparatus. In addition, the use of the surface treating process ensures that a corrosion resistance can be provided to a rare earth metal-based permanent magnet extremely liable to be oxidized, without degradation of a high magnetic characteristic of the magnet.

Abstract: A surface treating process according to the present invention, a vapor deposited film is formed from an easily oxidizable vapor-depositing material on the surface of a work by evaporating the vapor-depositing material in a state in which the vapor deposition controlling gas has been supplied to at least zones near a melting/evaporating source and the work within a treating chamber. Thus, the vapor deposited film can be formed stably on the surface of a desired work without requirement of a long time for providing a high degree of vacuum and without use of a special apparatus. In addition, the use of the surface treating process ensures that a corrosion resistance can be provided to a rare earth metal-based permanent magnet extremely liable to be oxidized, without degradation of a high magnetic characteristic of the magnet.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting production of projections in a metal deposited-film according to the present invention is characterized by using a vapor deposition apparatus comprising, in a vacuum-treating chamber, an evaporating section for a depositing material, and an accommodating member and/or a holding member for accommodation and/or hold of work pieces, respectively, and, in depositing a metal depositing material on each of the surface of the work pieces with the accommodating member and/or the holding member being made rotated about the horizontal rotational axis thereof, carrying out vapor deposition with a Vickers hardness of a film formed on each of the surface of the work pieces maintained at 25 or more. According to the present invention, production of projections in a metal deposited-film can be effectively inhibited when forming the metal deposited-film of aluminum, zinc or the like on the surface of a work piece such as a rare earth metal-based permanent magnet.

Abstract: A rare earth metal-based permanent magnet has a film layer formed substantially of only a fine metal powder on a metal forming the surface of the magnet. The rare earth metal-based permanent magnet having the film layer on its surface is produced in the following manner: A rare earth metal-based permanent magnet and a fine metal powder forming material are placed into a treating vessel, where both of them are vibrated and/or agitated, whereby a film layer made of a fine metal powder produced from the fine metal powder producing material is formed on a metal forming the surface of the magnet. Thus, the formation of a corrosion-resistant film such as plated film can be achieved at a high thickness accuracy by forming an electrically conductive layer uniformly and firmly on the entire surface of the magnet without use of a third component such as a resin and a coupling agent.

Abstract: A surface treating process according to the present invention, a vapor deposited film is formed from an easily oxidizable vapor-depositing material on the surface of a work by evaporating the vapor-depositing material in a state in which the vapor deposition controlling gas has been supplied to at least zones near a melting/evaporating source and the work within a treating chamber. Thus, the vapor deposited film can be formed stably on the surface of a desired work without requirement of a long time for providing a high degree of vacuum and without use of a special apparatus. In addition, the use of the surface treating process ensures that a corrosion resistance can be provided to a rare earth metal-based permanent magnet extremely liable to be oxidized, without degradation of a high magnetic characteristic of the magnet.

Abstract: An Fe—B—R based permanent magnet has a metal oxide film having a thickness of 0.01 &mgr;m to 1 &mgr;m on its surface with a metal film interposed therebetween. Thus, the film is excellent in adhesion to the surface of the magnet. Even if the permanent magnet is left to stand under. high-temperature and high-humidity of a temperature of 80° C. and a relative humidity of 90% for a long period of time, the magnetic characteristic of the magnet cannot be degraded. The magnet has a thermal shock resistance enough to resist even a heat cycle for a long period of time in a temperature range of −40° C. to 85° C., and can exhibit a stable high magnetic characteristic. Therefore, it is possible to produce an Fe—B—R based permanent magnet having a corrosion-resistant film free from hexa-valent chromium.

Abstract: A hollow work having a hole communicating with the outside and a fine metal powder producing material are placed into a treating vessel, where the fine metal powder producing material is brought into flowing contact with the surface of the work, thereby adhering a fine metal powder produced from the fine metal powder producing material to the surface of the work. The hollow work may be a ring-shaped bonded magnet. Thus, a film having an excellent corrosion resistance can be formed without use of a third component such as a resin and a coupling agent by providing an electric conductivity to the entire surface of the magnet, i.e., not only to the outer surface (including end faces) but also to the inner surface of the magnet and subjecting the magnet to an electroplating treatment.

Abstract: A molded product having pores in its surface, an inorganic powder, a fat and oil and media are placed into a treating vessel, and a kinetic energy is supplied to the contents of the treating vessel, thereby forcing the inorganic powder into the pores and hardening it in the pores. In another process, a molded product having pores in its surface and an inorganic powder producing material are placed into a treating vessel, and a kinetic energy is supplied to the contents of the treating vessel, thereby forcing an inorganic powder produced from the inorganic powder producing material into the pores and hardening it in the pores. The inorganic powder producing material performs a role of producing an inorganic powder by the collision of pieces of the inorganic powder producing material against one another, against the molded product and against the inner wall of the vessel, and a role as media for forcing the produced inorganic powder into the pores.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electroplating device including an anode inserted through and disposed in a hole provided in a work and communicating with the outside, and a member for rotating the work about its center axis and supplying a plating electric current to the work. The present invention also provides an electroplating device including an anode inserted through and disposed in a hole provided in a work and communicating with the outside, a member for rotating the work about its center axis, and a member for supplying a plating electric current to the work. Further, the present invention provides an electroplating device including an anode inserted through and disposed in a hole provided in a work and communicating with the outside, and a means for allowing a plating solution in the hole in the work to flow.

Abstract: A rare earth metal-based permanent magnet has a film layer formed substantially of only a fine metal powder on a metal forming the surface of the magnet. The rare earth metal-based permanent magnet having the film layer on its surface is produced in the following manner: A rare earth metal-based permanent magnet and a fine metal powder forming material are placed into a treating vessel, where both of them are vibrated and/or agitated, whereby a film layer made of a fine metal powder produced from the fine metal powder producing material is formed on a metal forming the surface of the magnet. Thus, the formation of a corrosion-resistant film such as plated film can be achieved at a high thickness accuracy by forming an electrically conductive layer uniformly and firmly on the entire surface of the magnet without use of a third component such as a resin and a coupling agent.

Abstract: An Fe—B—R based permanent magnet has a metal oxide film having a thickness of 0.01 &mgr;m to 1 &mgr;m on its surface with a metal film interposed therebetween. Thus, the film is excellent in adhesion to the surface of the magnet. Even if the permanent magnet is left to stand under high-temperature and high-humidity of a temperature of 80° C. and a relative humidity of 90% for a long period of time, the magnetic characteristic of the magnet cannot be degraded. The magnet has a thermal shock resistance enough to resist even a heat cycle for a long period of time in a temperature range of −40° C. to 85° C., and can exhibit a stable high magnetic characteristic. Therefore, it is possible to produce an Fe—B—R based permanent magnet having a corrosion-resistant film free from hexa-valent chromium.

Abstract: A surface treating process according to the present invention, a vapor deposited film is formed from an easily oxidizable vapor-depositing material on the surface of a work by evaporating the vapor-depositing material in a state in which the vapor deposition controlling gas has been supplied to at least zones near a melting/evaporating source and the work within a treating chamber. Thus, the vapor deposited film can be formed stably on the surface of a desired work without requirement of a long time for providing a high degree of vacuum and without use of a special apparatus. In addition, the use of the surface treating process ensures that a corrosion resistance can be provided to a rare earth metal-based permanent magnet extremely liable to be oxidized, without degradation of a high magnetic characteristic of the magnet.

Abstract: A resin molded product and a fine metal powder producing material are placed into a treating vessel. The fine metal powder producing material is brought into flowing contact with the surface of the resin molded product, thereby producing a fine metal powder, and forming a metal layer of the fine metal powder on the surface of the resin molded product. In this process, the metal layer of the fine metal powder can be formed firmly and at high density on the surface of the resin molded product. The metal layer exhibits a function as an electrically conductive layer. Therefore, a metal film having an excellent thickness accuracy, an excellent surface smoothness and a high peel strength can be formed in a simple manner on the metal layer by carrying out an electroplating treatment. In addition, it is possible for the metal layer itself to exhibit functions or properties such as an ornamentality.

Abstract: A rare earth metal-based permanent magnet has a metal oxide film formed on the surface thereof by a sol-gel coating process. The rare earth metal-based permanent magnet is produced by forming a metal oxide film on the surface thereof by a sol-gel coating process. The metal oxide film is thin and dense. The adhesion of the film to the surface of the magnet is excellent. The film exhibits an excellent corrosion resistance. Typical examples of the metal oxide films are Al, Si, Ti and Zr oxide films. An interfacial layer with R (rare earth element) atom chemically bonded with a film forming metal atom through oxygen atom is formed between the metal oxide film and the entire surface of the magnet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a rare earth metal-based permanent magnet having, on its surface, a corrosion-resistant film containing inorganic fine particles having a specific average particle size and dispersed in a film phase formed from a silicon compound. In a heat treatment for forming a film by a hydrolyzing reaction and a thermally decomposing reaction of the silicon compound, followed by a polymerizing reaction, a stress is generated within the film by the shrinkage of the film. In the corrosion-resistant film formed by the producing process according to the present invention, however, such stress is dispersed by the presence of the inorganic fine particles and hence, the generation of physical defects such as cracks is inhibited. In addition, voids between the adjacent inorganic fine particles are filled with the film phase formed from the silicon compound and hence, the formed film is dense.

Abstract: A resin molded product and a fine metal powder producing material are placed into a treating vessel. The fine metal powder producing material is brought into flowing contact with the surface of the resin molded product, thereby producing a fine metal powder, and forming a metal layer of the fine metal powder directly on the surface of the resin molded product. In this process, the metal layer of the fine metal powder can be formed firmly and at high density on the surface of the resin molded product. The metal layer exhibits a function as an electrically conductive layer. Therefore, a metal film having an excellent thickness accuracy, an excellent surface smoothness and a high peel strength can be formed in a simple manner on the metal layer by carrying out an electroplating treatment. In addition, it is possible for the metal layer itself to exhibit functions or properties such as an ornamentality.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing R—Fe—B bonded magnets, capable of forming various corrosion resisting films on a R—Fe—B bonded magnet uniformly with a very high bonded strength so as to attain such a very high corrosion resistance thereof that prevents the bonded magnet from being rusted even in a long-period high-temperature high-humidity test; comprising barrel-polishing a porous R—Fe—B bonded magnet by a dry method using as media an abrasive stone formed by sintering inorganic powder of Al2O3, SiC, ZrO and MgO, or a mixture of an abrasive for metal balls and vegetable media, such as vegetable skin chips, sawdust, rind of a fruit and a core of corn, or a mixture of vegetable media the surfaces of which are modified by the above-mentioned abrasive and the above-mentioned inorganic pulverized bodies, so as to enable a surface of the magnet to be smoothed and sealed.

Abstract: A hollow work having a hole communicating with the outside and a fine metal powder producing material are placed into a treating vessel, where the fine metal powder producing material is brought into flowing contact with the surface of the work, thereby adhering a fine metal powder produced from the fine metal powder producing material to the surface of the work. The hollow work may be a ring-shaped bonded magnet. Thus, a film having an excellent corrosion resistance can be formed without use of a third component such as a resin and a coupling agent by providing an electric conductivity to the entire surface of the magnet, i.e., not only to the outer surface (including end faces) but also to the inner surface of the magnet and subjecting the magnet to an electroplating treatment.